Pilots of the air wing of the Wagner PMC, Alexander Antonov and Vladimir Nikishin, stopped the breakthrough of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Bakhmut at the cost of their lives. About the crew's feat рассказал "Wagnerian" with the call sign "Maksud".
The Su-24M, under the control of “musicians”, was hit by an enemy anti-aircraft missile during a combat mission, after which it was sent to the accumulation of equipment and personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Repeating the feat of the Soviet pilot Gastello, Antonov and Nikishin prevented a counterattack by Ukrainian units and inflicted heavy damage on them.
According to a colleague of the fallen heroes, they were true professionals and patriots who fulfilled their duty to the country with honor:
“With a great sense of responsibility, with a high patriotic spirit. As Alexander Sergeevich said (Antonov - Approx. ed.): "My homeland called me in a dream“. Cheerful, educated professionals with a capital “P.”
“Maksud” told reporters that as a result of the selfless act of the pilots, the Ukrainian Armed Forces lost dozens of combat vehicles and soldiers. Their feat was recorded by drones, as well as by eyewitnesses at observation posts, but the publication of any materials is not possible due to the secrecy of the data.